Thoughts on Avatars

[Geocorona]

Using mundane creatures as avatars

I would think a good template would

1) Play up on the god's specialties. Provide some spells in the god's major domain as supernatural abilities.

2) Play up on the base creature's specialties. Enhance the base creature's natural abilities using a multiplier rather than a just a plus. Example:

(STR*2)+2 rather than STR+8

Stats like natural armor and intitiative bonuses could be treated likewise.

 

[Khisanth the Ancient]

Avatar Template
Avatars are the earthly forms of gods, or creatures directly infused with a god's will and divine power to become that god's manifestation.
Creating an Avatar : "Avatar" can be added to any creature.
Size : Increase by one category (apply only bonuses for size change - not penalties).
Hit Dice : Double or increase to 8, whichever is greater. Type is d12.
Initiative : As base creature.
Speed : Doubled, or +20 ft., whichever is greater.
AC : Natural armor gains a +6 bonus.
Attacks/Damage : All avatars have a bite attack. Use either the values below or the creature's damage increased by one die type, whichever is greater.
Diminutive 1d6
Tiny 1d8
Small 2d6
Medium 2d8
Large 4d6
Huge 4d8
Gargantuan 8d6
Colossal 8d8

Any non-bite attacks have their damage increased by one die type.
Face/Reach : Adjust for size.
Special Attacks : As base creature, plus 2 of the following abilities :
Keen Bite (Ex): An avatar with this power threatens a critical on a 17-20 and deals 3x damage on a successful critical hit.
Vorpal Bite (Ex): On a successful critical hit, the target (if it is one size category larger than the avatar or smaller) loses its head.
Energy Burst (Su) : An avatar wih this power can emit a blast of pure divine energy. Any creature within 20' of the avatar suffers 1d4 force damage per HD of the avatar.
Energy Drain (Su): On a successful bite attack, the avatar bestows (1 + HD/15) negative levels.
Special Qualities :
DR 30/ +2
Immune to 2 types of attack
Abilities : All doubled

CR : Doubled


Now just watch out for the Avatar Tarrasque with Keen Bite & Vorpal Bite!